Report Reveals Trend Of Segregation In Charter Schools « CBS Detroit

Report Reveals Trend Of Segregation In Charter Schools « CBS Detroit:\

Report Reveals Trend Of Segregation In Charter Schools

March 10, 2012 6:36 AM

(Credit: Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

EAST LANSING (WWJ) - The expansion of charter schools has led to classrooms being more segregated today than they were 30 years ago, according to a recent report that provides policymakers with detailed recommendations on how to ensure all students have access to a quality education.

Some of the nation’s most segregated schools are charter schools, where students are often isolated by race, income, language and special education status, according to the report, authored by Julie F. Mead, of the University of Wisconsin, and Preston C. Green III, of Penn State University.

For example, 43 percent of black charter school students attend schools that are 99 percent minority, according to the report. 

Promote charter schools, but don't stack the deck

Joseph Heller famously wrote in Catch-22 that "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you."

It's a wonder Florida's traditional public school officials haven't had that stamped on T-shirts. They've been looking over their shoulders recently for charter schools' feverish advance. Last year, lawmakers tightened traditional public schools' accountability, but loosened the shackles on charter school growth.
This year's legislative session only reinforced fears charters have staged a coup.